The British Armed Forces recognises service and personal accomplishments of individuals while a member of the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force with the awarding of various awards and decorations. Together with rank and qualification badges, such awards are a means to outwardly display the highlights of a serviceperson's career. Order of wear All services use a common order of wear, the following general rules apply: The Victoria Cross and the George Cross United Kingdom Orders United Kingdom Decorations Order of St John (all classes) United Kingdom Medals for Gallantry and for Distinguished Service United Kingdom Campaign and Operational Service Medals (including authorised United Nations medals and medals of other recognised international organisations). Worn in order of date of award United Kingdom Polar Medals United Kingdom Police Medals for Valuable Service United Kingdom Jubilee, Coronation and Durbar Medals Long Service and Efficiency Awards Commonwealth Orders, Decorations and Medals instituted by the Sovereign. Worn in order of date of award. Commonwealth Orders, Decorations and Medals instituted since 1949 otherwise than by the Sovereign (including those of the States of Malaysia and the State of Brunei). Worn in order of date of award. Foreign Orders. If approved for wear, worn in order of date of award. Foreign Decorations. If approved for wear, worn in order of date of award. Foreign Medals. If approved for wear, worn in order of date of award. Note: Jubilee, Coronation and Durbar medals were worn before campaign medals until November 1918, after which the order of wear was changed, with them now worn after campaign medals and before long service awards. British military medals and ribbons Military orders and decorations Note [1] Eligibility period start dates reflect respective establishment dates, except where available evidence indicates otherwise. Military campaign medals Notes: Coronation, Jubilee and Durbar medals Efficiency and long service decorations and medals National independence medals Foreign and international International campaign medals Worn with other United Kingdom campaign medals in order of date of issue (except where noted otherwise). Commonwealth orders Worn after all United Kingdom awards (including international awards treated as United Kingdom awards). Honorary awards are worn before substantive awards. Commonwealth decorations Worn after all Commonwealth orders. Commonwealth campaign and commemorative medals Worn after all Commonwealth decorations. Foreign orders Worn after all Commonwealth awards. Foreign decorations Worn after all foreign orders. Foreign campaign and commemorative medals Worn after all foreign decorations. Decorations and medals